Jeff Richman & Friends: Live at the Baked Potato, Volume 1

Fusion’s finest come together to jam the night(s) away. In 1999, not long after Justin Randi (son of pianist/clubowner Don) opened the second Baked Potato in Hollywood, he and guitarist Jeff Richman discussed the idea of occasionally bringing some of the top names in contemporary jazz into the club to perform with Richman. That plan was soon inaugurated to favorable reviews, and many of the stellar shows were taped for posterity’s sake. Finally, those tapes are seeing the light of day thanks to the visionary Tone Center label.

This is the first of a projected duo of discs documenting Richman’s all-star ‘Tater jams, and what a head-spinning collection it is. The guitarist is the sole constant here, the other personnel shifting around him as necessary. Everyone has plenty of room to stretch out and wail; the shortest track is fully nine minutes. Two of Richman’s original compositions, “Ain’t Gonna Wait” and “Monkfish”, show his firm grounding in blues, funk and classic fusion sounds. The former is a brooding skulk through back alleys, with Dave Carpenter’s imposing bass lines growling and thumping amidst. The latter has a more traditional blues structure that recalls late-period Blue Note funk. Brandon Fields’ grippingly vibrant tenor holds forth on that tune, and his soprano floats cloudlike above Simon Phillips’ “Dreamscape”. Phillips shows just how firmly he can really swing a band on that warm waltz which closes the disc.

Richman is an excellent guitarist who deserves to be much better-known, and perhaps this disc might open some doors for him. He has the good taste to not be oppressively dominant, despite his hosting role, and when he steps forth for a solo he makes genuinely interesting statements. He has a fine sense of texture as well, as illustrated by his chorused shimmers, off-beat hammers, and short, sharp picking early in Peter Gabriel’s “Mercy Street”. On that track Vinnie Colaiuta keeps the beat elusive, giving the tune a suspended feel, while Abe Laboriel’s chorus-effected bass adds a fluid funk vibe. Laboriel plays it straighter on the outrageous syncopations of Marcus Miller’s “Splatch”, behind Peter Wolf’s almost Monkish piano. Richman manages a cool reflection of Miles Davis’ scattershot trumpet lines from the original recording (on Tutu ). Russell Ferrante plays comforting acoustic piano on “Seven Stars”, ably driven by Robert Hurst’s upright bass, Richman’s classic jazz tone, and Danny Gottlieb’s wispy drumming.

All in all, this disc is an exemplary document of the L.A. fusion scene, illustrating why the Baked Potato has long beentheplace to go for top-notch fusion. Outstanding. Volume 2 of the series is awaited with baited breath.

I grew up listening to my father's Jazz records and listening to radio. My dad was a musician for many years as a vocalist, bassist and drummer. His two uncles played in the Symphony of Reggio Calabria back in Italy

I grew up listening to my father's Jazz records and listening to radio. My dad was a musician for many years as a vocalist, bassist and drummer. His two uncles played in the Symphony of Reggio Calabria back in Italy. So music and jazz specifically have been a part of me since I was born. I love and perform in all styles of music from around the world. Improvisation in jazz is what drew me in, and still does as well as other genres that feature improvisation. A group of great musicians expressing themselves as one is the hallmark of great jazz and in fact all great music.